Signaling system



June 29, 1948. M. c. GODDARD 2,444,039

SIGNALING SYSTEM FiledJllne 16, 1945 EHIIH E-IIIHI- j? @uw l @im L m K 23M, [LM @L M Q EN MARC/NAL ATTORNEY Patented June 29, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNALING SYSTEM Application June 16, 1945, Serial No. 599,829

3 Claims.

This invention relates to relay circuits and sig- `naling systems and particularly to selective sig naling and has for its objects increased reliability and efficiency of selective signaling systems and the simplification and improvement of such systems.

Heretofore selective signals have been transmitted by impulses of current which differ in amplitude and polari-ty, the signal receiving means comprising both marginal and polarized relays. By transmitting diierent combinations of such pulses simultaneously and separately over each of a plurality of conductors, a desired plurality of different signals have been provided as in the systems disclosed in the patent to Carpenter 1,780,906, November 11, 1930', and in the patent to Henry 1,916,760, July 4, 1934.

This invention is a signaling system in which selective signals are transmitted by positive and negative current impulses, the signal receiving means for selectively responding to these impulses being non-polarized relays.

A feature of the invention is the transmission of any one of a plurality of selective signals by `current impulses which differ in amplitude and direction, the signal receiving means consisting of a like plurality of non-polarized relays. According to a further feature, a desired plurality of selective signals are transmitted by different combinations of current impulses simultaneously and separately over each of a plurality of conductors, the signal receiving means for selectively responding to the impulses being non-polarized relays.

Another feature of the invention is a relay cir- .cuit consisting of two like non-polarized relays each having two windings, 4one winding of each relay having twice the number of turns that the other win-ding has, the windings of each relay being normally, diiierentially energized in a cir cuit including in the order named one winding of one relay, the unlike winding of the other relay, the other winding lof the one relay and the other winding of the other relay, a control conductor being connected to the junction between said unlike winding of the other relay and said other winding of the one relay whereby operation of the one relay is eiected by connecting a current source of one polarity to the control conductor and the operation of the other relay is effected by -connecting a current source of opposite polarity to the control conductor.

A clear and complete understanding of the invention will be facilitated by a consideration of 2 the circuit arrangement shown in the drawing, which arrangement constitutes one embodiment of the invention and its features. The invention is not limited to the specic arrangement shown in the drawing but is generally applicable to relay and signaling systems.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a selective signaling system; and

Fig. 2 lists the different signal conditions.

The signaling arrangement shown in the drawing comprises two key contacts KI and K2 for transmitting signals over a signaling conductor 'l to effect the selective operation of signal relays 2| and 22, and three key contacts K3, K4 and K5 for transmitting signals over a signaling conductor 8 to effect the selective operation of signal relays 23, 24 and 2-5. The actuation of key contact KI connects ground to conductor 1; the actuation of key contact K2 connects to conductor l battery BI of the same voltage and polarity as the battery B3 connected to the windings of relays 2| and 22; the actuation of key contact K3 connects ground to conductor 8; the actuation of key contact K4 connects to conductor 8 battery Bl of the same voltage as the battery B3 connected to the windings of relays 23 and 24; and the actuation of key contact K5 connects to conductor 8 a battery B2 of the same voltage as, or higher voltage than that of battery B3 Ibut of opposite polarity. Only one of contacts Kl .and K2 can be operated at the same time and only one of contacts K3, K4 and K5 can be operated at one time; so that there are eleven diierent signals which may be transmitted responsive to the actuation of one -of contacts Kl and K2, the actuation of one of contacts K3, K4 and K5, or the simultaneous actuation of one of contacts KI and K2 and one of contacts K3, K4 and K5. The eleven different combination-s of the ve key contacts and the corresponding eleven diierent combinations of the signal relays are listed in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The signal relays control eleven signal registers or relays such as those numbe-red to in the drawing, one for each of the eleven distinctive combinations of the five signal relays 2| to 25. Each of the relays 2|, 22, 23 and 24 is a non-polarized relay having two windings one of which has twice the number of turns that the other Winding has. Relay 25 is also a non-polarized relay having two windings which may or may not be similar to those of the other four signal relays.

Assume the key contacts Kl through K5 to have been associated with the signal relays 2| through 25 in any known manner, whereupon 3 ground is connected to conductors 2U and 2G to prepare the relays for operation responsive to signals transmitted over conductors 1 and 8. For instance, in an automatic telephone system in which the keys Kl, K2, K3, K4 and K5 constitute an operators key set for transmitting digits, and relays 2|, 22, 23 and 24 are part of a registersender which is connected to conductors 1, 8 responsive to the initiation of acall from the operators position at which the key set is located, ground is connected to conductors 20 and 26 'when the register-sender is ready to receive each digit of the called number, and is disconnected vfrom these conductors after each digit is registered. Reference may be had to Patent No. 1,780,906, granted to W. W. Carpenter and R. E. Hersey November 1l, 1930, for disclosure of an automatic telephone system in which a registersender is connected to an operator key set and in which a set of signal relays are selectively operated under the control of the calling station to eifect the registration of each digit of a called subscribers number. With neither of the key contacts Kl and K2 actuated, the windings of relays 2i and 22 are energized in a circuit traced from grounded conductor '23, through the upper winding of relay 22, lower winding of relay 2l, lower winding oi relay 22 and upper winding of relay 21, to battery B3. The windings of each of relays 2l and 22 are differentially energized by the current in this circuit as indicated by the arrows. Although the upper winding of each relay has twice as many turns as the lower winding, these relays are adjusted so that they do not operate when their windings are differentially energized by the same current. With none of keys K3, K4 and K5 operated, the windings of relays 23, 24 and 25 "are energized in a circuit traced from grounded conductor 526, through the continuity back contact o'f relay 25, upper back contact of relay 23, upper windingof relay 24, lower vwinding of lrelay 23, resistor 21, inner upper back contact of relay 25, lower winding of relay 25, lower winding of relay 24, .and upper winding of relay 23, to battery B3. The windings of .each

'of relays 23 and 24 are differentially energized by the current in this .circuit as indicated by the .ar-rows; and, 4although the upper winding of each has twice -as many turns as the .lower winding, the adjustment of each relay is such that it is not operated when i'ts windings are differentially `energized by the same current. Relay 25 is also adjusted so as not to be operated by the ener- .gization of its lower winding in series with both windings of both 'of relays 23 and 24 and .f

resistor 21.

If key contact K1 is actuated, a circuit is closed from ground, .through contact Kl, conductor 1., lower winding foi 'relay 2.2, upper winding of relay 2l, and battery B3.; so that the .lower winding lof relay 2li and upper winding 4of relay 22 are shunted by conductor 1 and key Kl. The resistance of conductor 1 is low so -that there will be substantially no current through the lower winding of relay 2l :and 4upper Winding of relay 22 while key KI is operated. Thus the energization of the "lower winding of -relay v2| is decreased andthe opposing energization of the upper winding o'f relay 2i is increased suiliciently Ito effect the operation .of relay 21; and, Aalthough the energizat'ion olf the upper winding vof -relay 22 is decreased, the opposing ienergization of the tower winding of relay 22 is not increased sufficiently to eect the operation 4of relay 22. Relay T21 llcloses a locking'icir-cuit through its upper winding and front contact so as to remain operated after key contact Ki is restored to normal, the other windings of relays 2| and 22 being thereby short-circuited.

If key contact K2 is actuated, a circuit is closed from battery BI, through contact K2, conductor 1, lower Winding of relay 2 i, and upper winding of relay 22, to grounded conductor 2D; so that battery B3, the upper winding of relay 2l and lower winding of relay 22 are sliunted by battery Bl, key K2 and conductor 1. Thus the energization of the lower winding of relay 22 is decreased and the opposing energization of the upper 'winding of relay 22 is increased sufficiently to effect the operation of relay 22; and, although the energization of the upper winding of relay 2l is decreased, the opposing energization of the lower winding of relay 2l is not increased sufficiently to effect the operation of relay 2|. Relay 22 closes a locking circuit through its upper winding and front contact so as to remain operated after key contact K2 is restored to normal, the other windings of relays 2i and 22 being thereby short-circuited.

If key contact K3 is actuated, a circuit is closed from ground, through contact K3, con ductor S, inner upper back contact and lower winding of relay 25, lower winding of relay 24, and upper winding of relay 23, to battery B3; so that resistor 21 and the lower winding of relay 23 and upper windmg of relay 24 are shunted by conductor 8 and key K3. The resistance of con.- ductor 3 is low so that there will be substantially no current through the lower winding `of relay 23 and upper winding of relay 24, while key K3 is operated. Thus the energization of the lower winding of relay ,23 is decreased and the opposing energization of the upper winding .of relay 23 increased sufficiently vto eiect the operation of' relay 23. Although the energization of the upper winding of relay 24 is decreased, the opposing energization of .the lower winding of relay 24 is not increased sufficiently to efect the operation of relay 24; and although the energizetion of the lower winding oi relay 25 is increased, the increase is insuilicient to effect the operation of relay .235.

If key contact K4 is actuated, :a circuit is closed from 4battery Bi, through vcontact K4., conductor 8, resistor 21, lower winding of relay 23, upper winding of relay 24, upper back contact loi vrelay 23, and continuity back contact of relay 25 to grounded conductor 26; so that the :lower winding of relay 25, lower winding of relay 24, upper winding of relay 23 :and Abattery B3 are shunted :by conductor 8 key K4 and battery B1. Thus the energize-tion :of the lower winding od? relay 24 is decreased and the opposing energization of the upper winding of relay 24 increased sumciently to effect the operation of relay .24. Although the energizatiion of the upper winding vof relay 2.3 is decreased, the opposing energization of .the lower winding of relay '23 is not increased suliciently'to effect the operation of relay 23; and since the energiza'tion of the'lower winding of relay '25 is decreased, relay 25 does not operate.

If key contact K5 is actuated, a circuit .is closed from battery B2, through contact K5, conductor 8, thence through two branches in parallel; one branch of which is .traced .through .the inner upper `back loont-act and `lower winding of relay 25, lower winding-of relay 24, upper winding of relay 23 vand battery B3; and the other branch of which is traced through resistor 21, lower lwinding of relay I23, `upper winding of rel-ay 24, vupper back contact of relay 23, continuity back contact of relay 25 to grounded f conductor 25. The current through the upper winding of relay 23 and lower windings of relays 24'and 25 is thus increased since batteries B2 and B3 are connected therethrough in series aiding; and the current through the upper winding lof r-elay 24 and lower winding of relay 23 is reversed in direction. The increased current through the lower winding of relay 25; effects the operation of relay 25 and, since both windings of each of relays 23 and 24|,v are now energized in the salme direction, both of relays 23 and 24 also operate. Relay 25 closes a locking circuit through its upper winding and thus opens the circuit through i-ts lower winding and causes .the irrimediate release of both of relays 23 and 24.

The signal storing relays I to il are controlled by the lcontacts of relays 2l, 22, 23, 2li and 25 so that a different one of the storing relays is actuated for each different signal transmitted by keys KI, K2, K3, K4 and K5 as shown in Fig. 2. The arrangement may be such that a plurality of groups llof signal storing relays are provided; and, when the storing relays of one group are operated, the release of the operated one of the signal receiving relays 2l, 22, 23, 24 and 25 is effected so that these relays may respond to a succession of signals which are successively effective to operate a signal storing relay in each of the signal storing groups, as in the aforementioned Carpenter-Hersey patent.

It is also apparent .that a third relay may be provided in combination with Irelays 2i and 22 for operation by a third key contact associated with conductor 'l in the same manner that relay 25 is operated by key Contact K5 over conductor 8. Such an arrangement would provide four more different signals for transmission over conductors 'l and 8.

What is claimed is:

1. A relay system comprising first and second non-,polarized relays each having first and second windings, said first winding of each of said relays having twice as many turns as said second winding, first and second batteries of like voltage and each having the like pole connected to ground, means connecting said first battery in series with said first winding of said Ifirst relay, said second winding of said second relay, said second winding of said first relay and said first winding of said second relay in the order named, whereby the first and second windings lof each relay are normally energized differentially, each of said relays being marginally adjusted so as not to be operatively r-esponsive -to said differential energization of its windings in series, means comprising a first signaling contact and a low resistance conductor for closing a shunt across said second winding (of said first yrelay and said `first winding of said second relay so as to deenergize these windings and increase the energization of the first winding of said first relay and the second winding of said second relay to cause the operation of said first relay without operating said second relay, and means comprising a second signaling Contact and said low resistance conductor for connecting said second battery to the junction between vsaid second windings so as to decrease the energizatio-n of said first winding of said first relay and said seciond winding of said second relay and increase the energization `of said second winding of said first relay and said first winding of said second relay to cause the operation of said second relay without operating said first relay.

2. A relay system comprising first and second non-polarized relays each having first and second windings, said first winding of each of said relays having twice as many turns as said second winding, first and second batteries of like voltage and each having the like pole connected to ground, means connecting said first battery in series with said first winding of said first relay, said second Winding of said second relay, said second winding of said first relay and said first winding of said second relay in the order named, whereby the first and second windings of each relay are normally energized differentially, each of said relays being marginally adjusted so as not to be operatively responsive to said differential energization of its windings in series, means comprising a first signaling contact and a low resistance conductor for closing a shunt across said second winding of said first relay and said first winding of said second relay so as to deenergize these windings and increase the energization of the first winding of said first relay and the second winding of said second relay to cause the operation of said first relay without operating said second relay, means comprising a second signaling contact and said low resistance conductor for connecting said second battery to the junction between said second windings so as to decrease the energization of said first winding of said first relay and said second winding of said second relay and increase the energization of said second winding of said first relay and said first winding of said second relay to cause the operation of said second relay without operating said first relay, and means individual to each of said relays and comprising said first winding of the relay for locking the relay operated independent of said signaling contacts.

3. A relay system comprising first, second and third non-polarized relays each of said first and second relays having first and second windings, said first winding of each of said two relays having twice as many turns as said second winding, first, second and third batteries, the voltage of said first and second batteries being substantially equal to each other and the Voltage of said third battery being equal to or higher th'an that of each of said first and second batteries, the like pole of each of said first and second batteries and the unlike pole of said third battery being connected to ground, a resistor, means connecting said first battery in series with -said firsti winding of said first relay, said second winding of said second relay, a winding of said third relay, said resistor, said second winding of said first relay and said first winding of said second relay in the order named, whereby said winding of said third relay is normally energized and said first and second windings of each of said first and second relays are normally energized differentially, each of said first and second relays being marginally adjusted so as to be operatively non-responsive to said differential energization of its windings in series, said third relay being marginally adjusted so as to be operatively nonresponsive to the energization of its winding in said series connection with said first battery and both windings of said first and second relays, means comprising a first signaling contact and a low resistance conductor for closing a shunt across said resistor, said second winding of said first relay and said first winding of said second relay to deenergize these windings and increase the energization of the rst winding of said first relay and the second winding of said second relay so as to cause the operation of said first relay without operating either of said second and third 7 reiays, means comprising a second signaling contact and said low resi-stance conductor for connecting said second battery to the Junction between said winding of said third relay and said resistor to decrease the` energizationof said winding of said third relay, said second winding of said second relay and said firstI winding of said first relay and increase the energizatioh of said second winding of said first relay and said first winding of said second relay soV as to cause the operation of said second relay without operating either of said rst and third relays, means comprising a third signaling contact; and said low resistance conductor for connecting said third battery tothe junction between said winding of said third relay and said' resistor to reversethe energization of said second Winding of said ilrst relay and said first winding o'f said secondl relay and increase the energization of said winding of said third relay, said second winding' of said second relay and said rst winding of said: first relay, whereby said first, second and third relays are operated', and contact means rendered effective by the operation of said third relay for causing the release 0f said first and second relays.

MYRON C. GODDARD;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date' 274,665 Scott e Mar'. 27, 1883 2,228,405 Saville Jan. 14, 1941 

